Original Building of the University of Southern California

California State Historic Landmark 536

03/12/97#536 The Oldest University Building in Southern CaliforniaDedicated on September 4, 1880, this original building of the University of
Southern California has been in use continuously for educational purposes since its doors were
first opened to students on October 6, 1880, by the university's first president, Marion McKinley
Bovard. The building was constructed on land donated by Ozro W. Childs, John G. Downey and
Isaias W. Hellman, under the guiding hand of Judge Robert W. Widney, the university's
leading founder.